Rack for reusable crates

ABSTRACT

A rack for holding a plurality of crates includes a plurality of vertically-spaced support surfaces. Each support surface is configured to support a crate and may be an arm extending from a vertical support. The arms may be arranged in pairs so that each pair of support surfaces supports one crate. The arms may be retractable so that the rack can be collapsed after the crates have been removed.

BACKGROUND

Reusable crates are often used for shipping goods to grocery stores and merchandizing goods to the consumers. For example, beverage crates are used to ship beverage bottles or cans to the store. The customers view and select the goods from the crates. When empty, the crates are stacked or nested and returned to the distribution facility for reuse.

Typically, the crates are stacked on one another on a pallet to be shipped to the store. The pallet must then be unloaded at the store for customers to purchase the goods. Sometimes the goods are removed from the crates and sometimes the goods are merchandized directly from the crates. This is not always ideal for the customers to view and select the goods. Further, unloaded the pallets is additional work at the store.

SUMMARY

A rack holds a plurality of crates, such a plastic beverage crates. Plastic beverage crates of many different types are well-known. The crates include a base, side walls and end walls. A plurality of bottles are received in each of the plurality of crates.

The racks may be loaded with beverage crates at the distribution facility and shipped as a unit to a store and placed on a floor in the store. It is not necessary to unload the crates or the goods from the rack. In the store, customers can view and select bottles from the crates on the racks. When empty, the crates can be removed from the racks and nested within one another to minimize volume and the rack is collapsed. The crates and rack are returned to the distribution facility for reuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a rack holding a plurality of beverage crates.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the rack and crates of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the rack of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the rack of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the rack of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective of the rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an upper portion of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the upper portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 3 in a collapsed configuration for shipping and storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a rack 10 for holding a plurality of crates, such a plastic beverage crates 30. Plastic beverage crates 30 are well-known and the crates 30 shown in the figures are just one example of many different types of beverage crates 30. The crates include a base 32, side walls 34 and end walls 36. A plurality of bottles 40 (in this case, multi-serving, e.g. 2-liter bottles) are received in each of the plurality of crates 30. Crates for single serving bottles or cans could also be used. Bakery trays or other containers could also be used.

Each rack 10 holds a plurality of beverage crates 30. The racks may be loaded with beverage crates 30, shipped to a store and placed on a floor in the store (optionally, all on top of a pallet—not shown). In the store, customers can view and select bottles 40 from the crates 30 on the racks 10. When empty, crates 30 are removed from the racks 10 and nested within one another to minimize volume (as is known) and the rack 10 is disassembled. The crates 30 and rack 10 are returned to the distribution facility for reuse.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rack 10 includes a base having pair of feet 12 connected by cross-bar 22. Vertical supports or poles 14 extend upward from the base. Each pole 14 has a rectangular (e.g. square cross-section) and supports a plurality of vertically-spaced arms 16. Adjacent arms 16 (one on each pole 14) support the base 32 of each crate 30. The arms 16 provide support surfaces for the beverage crates 30 (FIG. 1). Each arm 16 is slidably connected to the pole 14 by a sleeve 18 and secured in place by connectors 20 (FIG. 2; e.g. U-shaped rods). A display 24 (cardboard or plastic) may be secured at upper ends of the poles 14.

As shown, the crates 30 do not contact one another. Because the crates 30 are not stacked on one another, the customer is able to select a bottle 40 from any of the crates on the rack 10. For example, different goods, such as different flavors, or even different products altogether in different types of crates could be supported on different pairs of arms 16. For example, some pairs of arms 16 could support bakery trays, while some support beverage crates 30. In this application, the term “crates” includes trays, crates, totes, tubs, or any type of container unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 3-5 show the rack 10 without the crates 30. As shown, the arms 16 are cantilevered from the poles 14. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the rack 10. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the lower portion of the rack 10 of FIG. 6. The arms 16 each have a lower, horizontal portion 26, a rear upright portion 28 adjacent the horizontal portion 26 and an upright end portion 29, perpendicular to both the horizontal portion 26 and the rear upright portion 28. A spring 30 keeps the U-shaped connector 20 in place.

A lower cross-bar 22 extends from one foot 12 and pole 14 to the other. The lower cross-bar 22 includes an outer bar 50 into which is inserted an inner bar 52. The outer bar 50 is connected at one end to a collar 56 slidably and rotatably secured to a cylindrical portion 54 at a lower end of the pole 14. The inner bar 52 is secured to a collar 56 slidably and rotatably secured to a cylindrical portion 54 at a lower end of the other pole 14. A cross-bracket 58 is secured at a lower end of each cylindrical portion 54 at the lower end of each pole 14. Each cross-bracket 58 includes a first rectangular recess 60 and a second rectangular recess 62 perpendicular to the first rectangular recess 60. As shown, in the assembled position, the feet 12 are received in the first rectangular recesses 60.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the top portion of the rack 10. An upper cross-bar 34 extends from the upper end of one pole 14 to the upper end of the other pole 14. FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the top portion. The upper cross-bar 34 includes an outer bar 38 and an inner bar 36, each connected to a collar 42 rotatably connected to a cylindrical portion 40 at the upper end of each pole 14. In this manner, the poles 14 are rotatable relative to the upper cross-bar 34.

In FIG. 11, the poles 14, along with their sleeves 18, arms 16 and feet 12, are shown rotated inward. In this position, the rack 10 can be placed flat without taking up much volume when empty for returning to the distribution facility to be reused.

In order to collapse the rack 10 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 11, the lower cross-bar 22 is lifted, with the collars 56 sliding upward on the cylindrical portions 54. This causes the feet 12 to be released from the rectangular recesses 60. After rotation inward, the lower cross-bar 22 is lowered so that the feet 12 are received in the rectangular recesses 62.

The components of the rack 10 may be mostly metal (steel, aluminum, etc) however it would be possible to make a lighter-weight rack 10 of plastic or composite materials. The crates 30 are preferably each injection molded as a single piece of plastic.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rack for holding a plurality of crates comprising: a plurality of vertically-spaced pairs of support surfaces, each pair of support surfaces configured to support a crate.
 2. The rack of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of pairs of support surfaces is formed on an arm.
 3. The rack of claim 2 wherein the arms each extend from a vertical support.
 4. The rack of claim 3 wherein the arms are retractable.
 5. The rack of claim 4 wherein the arms are pivotably connected to the vertical support.
 6. The rack of claim 1 further including a plurality of crates supported on the support surfaces, wherein one of the crates is supported above another of the crates.
 7. The rack and crates of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of crates includes a base, side walls and end walls.
 8. The rack and crates of claim 7 wherein the crates do not contact one another on the rack.
 9. The rack and crates of claim 7 wherein the crates are beverage crates.
 10. The rack and crates of claim 7 further including a plurality of bottles in each of the plurality of crates.
 11. The rack and crates of claim 1 wherein the crates are beverage crates.
 12. A rack for holding a plurality of crates comprising: at least one vertical support; a plurality of vertically-spaced arms extending from the at least one vertical support, each arm configured to support a crate.
 13. The rack of claim 12 wherein the arms are selectively retractable.
 14. The rack of claim 13 wherein the arms are rotatable about the at least one vertical support to move from a retracted position to a deployed position where it can support a crate.
 15. The rack of claim 12 further including a plurality of crates supported on the arms, wherein one of the crates is supported above another of the crates.
 16. The rack and crates of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of crates includes a base, side walls and end walls.
 17. The rack and crates of claim 15 wherein the crates do not contact one another on the rack.
 18. The rack and crates of claim 15 wherein the crates are beverage crates.
 19. The rack and crates of claim 15 further including a plurality of bottles in each of the plurality of crates.
 20. The rack and crates of claim 12 wherein the crates are beverage crates. 